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Posted by Lake Gensui Uchino , Wednesday, July 28, 2010 8:52 PM
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VoiceThread Reflection
Posted by Lake Gensui Uchino , Tuesday, June 15, 2010 5:24 PM
VoiceThread is an online discussion board with a bit of a twist. A normal discussion board consists of threads with different topics, and within the threads, different users state their thoughts and opinions by commenting and discussing about the topic of the thread. In VoiceThread, however, the discussion board allows audio and video commentary, along with interactive slides and even a laser-pointer like drawing tool to talk about the topic in further detail when needed.
When making my VoiceThread, I first had to come up with a topic that could possibly stir up some discussion. Then I went and looked for pictures, or made slides in order to make the discussion flow smoother. Without various slides, discussions on the thread can be hard to maintain, because the thread lacks new ideas. After preparing my VoiceThread, I shared it with my peers.
My VoiceThread generated a moderate amount of discussion. It was mainly comments, more than it was opinions, and most people did not ask questions in order to generate further discussion.
By looking at the content of the discussion generated, rather than the amount, I can see that the VoiceThread Webapp is limited in some ways. For one, the discussion depends on the participants. If the participants do not extend the discussion by asking questions, the thread itself would die. Secondly, it is necessary that the thread starter be aware and well-informed of the topic, in order to assist other participants with keeping the thread going. However, this limitation is not limited to VoiceThread, and is also existent in normal threads on discussion boards. However, one major limitation that only applies to the VoiceThread, is the trouble of keeping up with not only your own threads, but with the threads you are following as well. With a normal thread, you can casually just browse through each post without spending much time. With a VoiceThread, it takes too much time to browse through the audio and video comments, and can ultimately lead to the discussion dying out.
However, VoiceThread is a wonderful tool for discussion when used right. Normally, people only have the people that are in their everyday life to have discussions with. However, with VoiceThread, not only can you hear what others in the world have to say about a topic, you can also use your voice or video in order to further emphasize a point, or express emotion. Unlike a normal thread, a VoiceThread allows participants to become more interactive. It would be like having an actual conversation with people you don't know, without any interruptions! So although VoiceThread does have its limitations, it also has potential. I have never heard of VoiceThread until I took this course. I believe that VoiceThread should be used more frequently by webusers.
Click to see my VoiceThread topic about Apple's iPad--> http://voicethread.com/share/1173689/
A Completely New Style of Taking Notes
Posted by Lake Gensui Uchino , Saturday, May 29, 2010 9:29 PM
We've all taken notes before, whether it be in class, or at a meeting. But when we've finished writing, and look back at our notes, there's always a couple words or points that we missed. Now, wouldn't it be great if we could listen to a recording of the meeting that syncs with our hand-written notes? And wouldn't it be great if we could upload our hand-written notes onto the computer without having to go through the hassle of connecting our scanners?
Well I was browsing through Apple's online store (http://store.apple.com/us)today, and found something amazing. Take a look.
It's called the Pulse Smartpen. You might have either seen or heard of it before, but this is a great tool for all people who take notes in their daily life(eg students, businessmen, journalists etc).
What the Smartpen can do:
-record lectures or meetings WHILE writing.
-play back the part of the lecture that is synced with your writing.
-translate english text into different language
-and much more!
Check out this video below too see the Smartpen in action:
Apple iPad, coming out in Japan within a week!
Posted by Lake Gensui Uchino , Wednesday, May 26, 2010 3:51 PM
Hey guys. Lately, all I've been blogging about are things related to technology, and occasional posts about things I found interesting. So from now on, I probably might just blog about things that relate to computer software, and technology in general.
For all those Apple fans and Apple users out there, this next week or so should be an exciting one. It's going to be exciting because Apple's new tablet, the Apple iPad is coming out in Japan this week!
For those of you who don't know, the iPad is Apple's new cutting edge product. It basically looks like a giant iPhone, without the phone. However, if you have ever had the chance to use one of these things, you would know that the internet surfing experience is amazing. Imagine being able to surf the web with your fingers instead of a mouse cursor. Everything is controlled by you directly and the experience is just amazing.
You can even read books on the iPad as well. And again, even the books are as free as the web browsing! You can change the font type and size to your convenience, and even look up words on the spot with the built in dictionary!
There is just so much you can do on the iPad.
Check out this video below and let me know what you think of the iPad through my VoiceThread at the bottom of this blog!:
Adium!
Posted by Lake Gensui Uchino , Wednesday, May 12, 2010 4:40 PM
Most of you who are reading this blog post right now are probably familiar with online chat/messaging services such as AIM, MSN, Facebook chat, Yahoo! Messenger,etc.
I myself am a frequent user of these instant messaging applications, and I love how convenient they can be. However, and I think I speak for everyone when
I say this, I find that there are way too many instant messaging applications available to the point where you can't do everything with just one app.
This is where Adium comes in. Adium is an application for Apple (MacOSX) users that allows you to stay on various instant messaging accounts simultaneously through one account. This way you can stay online at all times, without having to go through the hassle of switching back and forth on applications to reply to messages.
It's just so much more convenient. I wonder why no one thought of this earlier!
For those who want to start using this application today, click the link below!
http://adium.im/
VoiceThread
Posted by Lake Gensui Uchino 2:50 PM
I actually went on VoiceThread for the first time today.
For those of you who aren't familiar with VoiceThread, I shall be kind and explain. VoiceThread is basically a more interactive version of thos discussion boards you see so frequently on the internet. You get to record your voice on certain topics t hat people post, so it allows more room for expression and it's easier than typing.
Below is an embedded VoiceThread that I thought was interesting:
Although this VoiceThread includes almost no audio or thread posts at all, I thought it was interesting how things such as math concepts and equations can be taught using VoiceThread. Many kids have problems with math equations and concepts, and these kinds of VoiceThreads can be very useful for them. You can even ask questions if you'd like, and get responses for further explanation!
I think VoiceThread would be a great tool for teachers and students in all grades.
Science and Technology can still learn from Mother Nature
Posted by Lake Gensui Uchino , Wednesday, April 28, 2010 4:36 PM
Hey guys,
Well I'm still deciding on what the main focus of my blog should be, but I'm beginning to think that my blog should be about things that fascinate me. So basically, if I find something interesting, I'll blog about it. Awesome.
Alright, so here's what I found today.
So this fat guy you see in the video made a really cool discovery. Basically he's saying that technology can learn from biology, and vice versa, and what he talks about here is how fascinating geckos are. I've never really thought about this, but "how the heck do geckos climb walls?"
This guy gives you answers, and how his research also helped to advance some research in biology THROUGH technology. They call it 'Biomutualism'
Check it out!
Crack cocaine and economy
Posted by Lake Gensui Uchino , Tuesday, April 27, 2010 6:42 PM
I found a video of Steven Levitt, author of Freakonomics, talking about crack economics.
According to Levitt, the way gangs are organized is very similar to the way McDonald's is organized.
There are the "Board of Directors" at the top, and below that, are the regional directors, and below that are the local "franchisees" of the crack business in the gang. However, the interesting part of this organization would be the "foot soldiers." Foot soldiers would be the equivalent of part-time workers at McDonalds.. only they earned much less. They earn about half of the minimum wage in the U.S. and the death rate of their jobs is 14 times the death rate of a soldier in Iraq.
So the interesting question was, why do these teenage kids, or these "foot soldiers" put their life on the line for such small money?
Check out the video below. It's actually really interesting.
Bald men comfort each other?!
Posted by Lake Gensui Uchino , Wednesday, April 21, 2010 4:43 PM
I was recently surfing the web to see if I can find an interesting topic to write about for an anthropology class I'm taking this semester... and you won't believe what I came across.
I came across a post on a site for Japanese trends, and found an article about a site for men in their mid-thirties.
The site is mainly about men in their thirties sharing thoughts and worries, and posting them under categories such as work, money, love and HAIR.
The following is an excerpt from the article:
"When you log on you will be asked for your age group; if you are in your thirties you can then vote on the issues, though everything is still viewable whatever your age. The problems are color-coded into categories: work, money, love, and hair. Examples include: “Would you borrow money from your parents in an emergency?”, “Have you ever looked at porn at work?” and “Do you check out your thinning hair when you get up in the morning?”
Check out the link below for the article, and the link that will lead you to the site itself:
http://www.japantrends.com/balding-men-share-hair-loss-anxieties-online/
That's it for my first blog post! Thanks for reading!
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